Asheville's Highland Brewing hosts grand opening tasting room party

Jan. 25, 2011

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ASHEVILLE — Ready for a party? Highland Brewing has a big bash in the works Saturday, with the grand opening of its new tasting room, in what's sure to be this week's major brew event. Tickets were reported sold out Wednesday morning.

Don't come without that ticket — with a strict fire code limit of 499 people, you can't get in without that admission.

Oteil Burbridge and the Lee Boys play the 8 p.m. show, and it's certain to pull a huge crowd to the brewery at 12 Old Charlotte Highway. If the music isn't enough, Highland will tap its new limited-edition coffee-infused Dynamite Porter, available only on draft at the tasting room. This dark, robust beer is collaboration between Highland's brewmaster John Lyda and coffee roaster Andy Gibbon of Black Mountain's Dynamite Roasting Co, who previously worked at the brewery. Dynamite's WNCW Mountain Morning Blend coffee was added to the beer to create some big chewy notes.

We strongly suggest an early arrival at Saturday's party; doors open at 7 p.m.

Special casks at Barley's

Valentine's Day is coming up soon, but Barley's Taproom will have a sweet treat on Tuesday, with a cask of Sexual Chocolate Russian Imperial stout from Foothills Brewing, of Winston-Salem. This dark, velvety brew won't last long.

On Feb. 22, Barley's is featuring firkins of cask beer from Full Steam, Foothills, Big Boss and Duck Rabbit, four of North Carolina's great breweries. Save me a place near the front of bar, please.

New brews around town

Craggie Brewing is warming up winter with its Bourbon Chipotle Porter. Spicy, smoky chipotle peppers were added to Craggie's porter, and the ale was aged on bourbon oak chips. Enjoy some at Craggie's tasting room, 197 Hilliard Ave.

And French Broad Brewery has released two small-batch beers. Belgian Stout is dark in color, with chocolate and currant notes. Flanders Abbey Ale, made with Belgian rock candy sugar, has also returned. Both are draft-only brews — try some at the brewery, 101 Fairview Road.

Magic at the Monk

Lone Rider's Sweet Josie American Brown Ale is featured at Pint Night this evening at the Thirsty Monk, 92 Patton Ave. The Monk will tap Rogue Brewing's Charlie 1981 beer on Feb. 21, in honor of Charlie Papazian's visit to Asheville. The Monk is the only Asheville outlet to sell Rogue's 2011 John Locker Stock Beers on draft.

A pint with Python

Monty Python's “The Life of Brian” gets a screening at 10 p.m. Thursday at Asheville Pizza and Brewing, 675 Merrimon Ave. Admission is $1. Which beer goes best with Python? We'll take some Shiva IPA.